The Power of Plenty

One of the fun things (and there are many) about being a yoga teacher is seeing a group of people follow your spoken direction with their body movements. I say, "Swoop your arms overhead," and the room fills with flying birds' wings. "Float into forward bend" creates an exhalation of movement toward the ground. It is a truly beautiful thing to see. But once in a while I like to throw a curve ball and see what happens. Instead of starting with the right leg as usual, I ask them to step back with their left leg first. Some comply without a thought. Others make a little scribbling motion with their hand to determine which side is the left. And a few protest. "Don't you mean our right leg?"

So what's the difference? Are the folks who follow the direction seamlessly the ones with the most resilience, or are they avid rule-followers? Are the protesters rigid and afraid of change, or are they just comfortable with routine? And those who don't quite know their right from their left (me!) probably never even noticed that they usually stepped their right leg back first. Are they flibberty-gibbets? Or just relaxed?

The answers are: Who knows. Probably some of each. It doesn't much matter. What does matter is practicing in a group of people with varying abilities and viewpoints and expectations, and learning a little something about yourself in the process. That something is missing when one practices yoga alone. (Yes, a personal practice is important and useful; so try a bit of each!) The group dynamic is powerful and empowering, as long as competition is kept out of the equation. Moving together, breathing together, finding stillness together. The same, yet different.

Inhale your arms overhead and reach into the sky! Grab a star and exhale as you hand it to the person on the mat next to you. Right hand, left hand, it doesn't matter.

"Hmmm, I think she's breaking some sort of rule. Teacher said to cross our legs!"